Sad I Ams – Trevor Millum

I am
the ring
from an empty Cola can
the scrapings
from an unwashed porridge pan
the severed arm
of last year’s Action Man.

I am
the envelope
on which the gum is gone
the sellotape
where you can’t find the end
the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip
the dried-up liquid paper
that mars instead of mends
the stamped addressed reply
that you forgot
to send
I am
the battery in which no charge is left
the starter motor which remains inert
the tyre on which the tread is worn
the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark
the carburettor choked by bits of dirt
the chromium trim from which the shine has gone.
I am
a garden
overgrown with weeds
a library book
that no one ever reads
a stray
which no one thinks to feed
the piece of good advice
which no one seems to need.
 Original text Meaning (Malay)
I am
the ring
from an empty Cola can Saya ialah
the scrapings Penutup dari tin Cola
Stanza 1
from an unwashed porridge pan Sisa dari kuali leper yang belum dicuci
the severed arm Lengan mainan ‘Action man’ yang sudah patah
of last year’s Action Man.

I am
the envelope
on which the gum is gone
Saya ialah
the sellotape
Sampul surat yang tidak ada gam
where you can’t find the end
Selotep yang tidak dapat dibuka
the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip
Stanza 2 Stapler yang tidak ada isi
the dried-up liquid paper
Liquid paper yang sudah kering.
that mars instead of mends
yang merosakkan bukan memperbaiki
the stamped addressed reply
Surat balas yang kamu lupa kirim
that you forgot
to send
 I am
the battery in which no charge is left Saya ialah
the starter motor which remains inert Bateri yang tidak lagi berfungsi
the tyre on which the tread is worn Motor starter yang tidak bergerak.
the sparking plug which shows no sign of Tayar yang bunga sudah haus
Stanza 3
spark
Sparking plug yang tidak ada percikan
the carburettor choked by bits of dirt
Karburetor yang dipenuhi kotoran
the chromium trim from which the shine has
gone. Chromium trim yang tidak lagi bersinar.

Saya ialah
I am Taman
a garden Yang penuh dengan rumpai
overgrown with weeds Buku perpustakaan
a library book Yang tidak ada orang membaca

Stanza 4 that no one ever reads Haiwan liar

a stray Yang tiada orang ingin memberi makanan
which no one thinks to feed Nasihat
the piece of good advice Yang tiada orang ingin mengetahui.
which no one seems to need.
 Pictures to help you understand:

Ring from an empty Cola can

the scrapings
from an unwashed porridge pan

the severed arm

of last year’s Action Man.
 the toothless stapler

springless bulldog clip

the tyre on which the tread is worn

the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark

 the carburetor choked by bits of dirt

the chromium trim from which the shine has gone.

a garden
overgrown with weeds

the piece of good advice

which no one seems to need.

photo credit: google

*pt3english.com does not own any of the pictures used above.
Themes:

1. Rejection

The persona feels that he/she is not wanted by anyone. They compare themselves to many unwanted things like the
broken action man, toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip, worn tyre, etc.

2. The lack of Appreciation

People do not appreciate the things that are once useful for them. People do not try to fix their toy, they do not make the
chromium trim shine again, they do not clean their garden, they do not read the books in the library. More importantly,
they do not listen to other people’s advice.

Moral Values:

1. We should stay positive in life.

2. We should learn to appreciate the things around us.
3. We should learn to listen to people’ advice.
4. We should be confident to ourselves.
5. We should be grateful for what we have.